Posts Tagged ‘
monitor’

There are many purposes for using a motion activated security camera. Portably, the most popular reason for using the motion activated security camera is to conserve electronic resources. On the other hand, these cameras may be used for an entirely different reason; to provide alerts like an alarm system when something is there.

There are also several different types of motion activated security cameras. In this article, we’ll explore how these cameras work, describe some of the more popular types, and talk about what how they may be used.

Many of today’s digital video camera security systems use wireless cameras. This option provides great versatility in camera mounting types and locations. A wireless camera does not require the usual RG-59 or similar type of cable to be run directly from the camera to the Digital Video Recorder or DVR and or monitor.

Instead, the camera has a built in radio transmitter and an on-board antenna. It converts its video data into a radio signal and transmits it via the transmitter/antenna combination to a corresponding receiver or a DVR that contains a built in receiver. As noted above, this can provide great freedom in cameral location and mounting choices.

However, the camera still needs a power supply. So a power supply wire needs to be run from either a nearby outlet plug (if there is one) or from a power distribution box. Since the wireless camera has gained great strides in achieving freedom from the wireless transmission, the power supply wire could possibly continue to restrict that freedom. So, enter the new battery operated wireless, digital video security camera.

However, these cameras can place a hefty drain on batteries requiring frequent replacement or recharging. So what is the solution to unnecessary battery drain? A motion activated security camera. These cameras contain an on-board motion detector that turns the camera on when it detects motion. Since the motion detector itself consumes a fraction of the total power that a recording camera does, battery power is greatly conserved and battery life or recharging periods are greatly lengthened.

This same sort of principle is also used on hidden, disguised, or covert cameras. Due to the nature of these cameras, they are often subjected to running on battery power. Once again, a 12 hour recording of an empty room can not only be wasteful, but use tremendous amounts of battery life. Make the device with a built in motion detector and the camera is now a motion activated security camera.

The types of cameras we’ve mentioned so far work by using a Passive InfraRed (PIR) motion detector. The PIR has the ability to sample the average heat signature in the field of view of which it is aimed (usually the same field of view as the camera). When an object with a different temperature than the surroundings, such as a body, a vehicle, etc. passes in front of the PIR it can detect this sudden change in the heat signature of the field of view.

The PIR interprets the heat signature change as an object in motion. The PIR is connected to an electronic relay such that when motion is detected, the PIR tell the relay to turn the switch on to the camera and start recording. The camera either stops when the PIR no longer detects motion or at a designated time period when after motion ceases.

There is another type of motion activated security camera that doesn’t work on the basis of Passive InfraRed activity. This camera is usually left in an “on” state where it is constantly capturing the visual image in its field of view. Instead of using a PIR, programming analyzes the video image that is being captured to determine if there is a change in any of the basic patters of the current field of view.

When a change is detected, the camera is activated such that although it is already on and capturing video images the camera now initiates processing and recording. In other words on this type of system, the camera is on an capturing but not necessarily transmitting its video data to a monitor or DVR. However, when the on-board programming detects a change in the otherwise motionless scenery, the camera initiates full recording and transmitting of its video signals.

This particular type of motion activated security camera is often used as a Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera that can track and follow objects based on the motion that it detects.

Security Camera King offers a well rounded selection of digital video small business security systems. These systems can provide protection, deter illegal activity, and document any vandalism, theft, or other activity in high-quality color full motion video. The systems are easy to operate, easy to set up, and easy enough to install yourself if you so desire.

Any business needs security protection, regardless of how big or small the business may be. Of course, if the business is large enough, it may even have its own security department or security team. Another option would include contracting the security to an independent security and protection agency. However, small businesses, especially those that are in the beginning stages of their development, can’t afford these options.

Yet security is still a definite necessity to protect the interests of the business, its property, and its employees. What is the solution? Small business security systems can fit this need at a small business overhead price while providing big business security advantages.

Security Camera King offers four different small business security systems based on the number of cameras or channels in each system. We carry 4, 8, 16, and 32 channel digital video systems. Each system comes with the designated number of vandal-proof day/night infrared vision dome cameras, the necessary power supply for the cameras, cables, connectors, and of course a Digital Video Recorder or DVR.

Our 4, 8, and 16 channel small business security systems are further divided into three major groups each, depending on the type of DVR selected. We offer the Elite Mini, the Elite, and the Ultimate brand DVRs. For any one of these channel groups we actually offer 6 different system packages. For example, for a four channel system we offer two system packages for the Elite Mini, two for the Elite, and Two for the Ultimate.

The differences between small business security systems packages with the same DVR type are cable and power supplies. For the complete Four Channel Elite Mini HD DVR Security Camera Surveillance Packages we offer one package that includes a four channel space saving power supply with four plug and play cables. Our second Four Channel Elite Mini HD DVR package includes the same DVR and cameras, but instead offers a four channel power distribution box, one box of bulk RG-59 18/2 Siamese Cable, four power leads, and connectors.

Each of our DVRs comes with an astounding variety of standard features. The major difference between our Elite Mini and the Elite and Ultimate DVRs, is that the Elite Mini does not have a CD/DVD writer. However all of our DVRs provide High Definition Outputs, the latest and most efficient CODEC (COmpression/DECompression) utility, H.264, built in Web server, email alerts, and Smartphone accessible technology.

The Internet options are especially helpful in small business security systems because many small business owners like the opportunity to monitor their systems remotely while they are conducting other business related tasks or even while they are on vacation. You can use the Web browser access from your home computer to view each of your small business security system’s digital cameras and if you are on the road, anywhere in the world that Internet access is available via a Smartphone, you can view and even control your system via your phone using one of our free applications.

Although the Elite Mini does not have a CD/DVD writer, it does allow you to make backup copies using a USB thumb drive. The Elite and Ultimate DVRs provide a CD/DVD writer for you to use to back-up your recorded footage or copy specific portions of it to distributable media to give to police, insurance companies, etc.

Security Camera King also recognizes that every small business has its own specific security requirements. That’s why we offer our systems with component changes and upgrades (some may be an additional charge). This provides you with the opportunity to purchase a complete system, tailored to your specific security needs, at a reasonable discounted packaged system price.

Since you can actually save costs for your small business by installing your own small business security system we also provide support from the beginning to the end of the process. Our systems are easy to install and come with all the manuals for the components that describe hook-ups, features, set-up procedures, etc. but we realize that may not always be enough. That’s why we offer free complete support from design of your system through installation, setup, and use.

Many times digital video security or surveillance applications require remote video monitoring. There are several ways to monitor digital video cameras including the utilization of a professional monitoring service. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the different methods currently available for remote video monitoring and how they may be used.

Before we talk about remote monitoring, let’s briefly review how a standard system is monitored. An average digital video security system is comprised of digital video cameras, a Digital Video Recorder or DVR and an optional monitor. The cameras are mounted in various locations and each one provides an input to the DVR unit. The DVR than provides the connection and output to a relatively close monitor or monitors. Some systems, such as baby monitors, only use cameras and monitors as recordings are inconsequential.

Although one might argue that many average digital video security systems employ remote monitoring because the monitor is not in the exact same location as the cameras or DVR, our reference to the term generally indicates that the monitor is in an entirely separate location from the cameras and/or DVR and not directly connected by a video transmission wire or cable to either. An example of this could be a wireless digital video entrance gate camera with a monitor located not at the entrance gate, but inside the home several hundred feet away.

To be more accurate, there are different levels of remote monitoring available as well. Both examples above can be examples of relatively close remote monitoring. (Many baby monitor’s cameras for example, transmit wirelessly to a wireless monitor that is located in the same building but a different room — the parents’ bedroom for example). On the other hand, extremely far remote monitoring can be accomplished when someone in Orlando is on vacation in China and monitors their residential digital video security system from their smartphone.

There are several different methods for remote video monitoring of digital video security cameras. The following paragraphs will examine the specific methods currently available.

Wireless Remote Video Monitor
This has been mentioned above however, with current technology, some camera’s boast wireless distance ranges of up to two miles. So not only can the wireless remote video monitor be in near proximity like the baby monitor, but it is possible to reach much farther distances using this method as well.

Some professional remote video monitor services send their signals via more powerful transmitters located at the site being protected and are amplified using various wireless repeaters until the signal reaches their monitoring location, how ever this method is becoming less popular due to the use of the following method.

Internet Protocol (IP) Ready Cameras and DVRs
IP ready cameras and DVRs have their own web server technology built right in to the device and connect to the Internet via a broadband Internet connection such as a modem, router, or WiFi. Although the IP cameras and IP DVRs function slightly differently, the both yield the same result; the ability to remotely monitor the digital video security cameras by way of the Internet.

IP ready cameras are connected directly to the Internet, not to the DVR. They have all the necessary electronic circuitry to do this on their own. Once the camera is installed and connected to the Internet, the user can begin remote video monitoring immediately using a computer or even a smartphone. Not only can IP cameras have a remote video monitor, but even their DVRs can be remotely located to store the digital video files they create.

IP ready DVRs, like the IP ready cameras, are connected directly to the Internet. However, IP ready DVRs manage the coordination of the cameras and recordings locally. That is, the individual cameras are all directly connected to the DVR either wirelessly or via cabling. The DVR then acts as the web server and provides the digital video image to the recipient using the Internet.

Under either Internet Protocol example, the only limiting factor to the remote video monitor is access to the Internet provided to the monitoring device. Even professional remote monitoring services are using IP systems because of the convenience, ease of use, and relatively low cost.

So if you’re looking for a remote video monitor, consider purchasing IP ready cameras or DVRs. If you have any additional questions about a remote video monitor, contact one of our security experts today.

A camera video monitor is used to view either the field of vision being captured by one camera or by a series of cameras in a digital video security system. Digital video camera monitors have made great strides in technological improvements in the last several years producing a higher quality, lighter, and more adaptive piece of digital video security system equipment.

It’s important to understand a little about the history of camera video monitors in security camera systems and how they used to work compared to how they work today. Let’s take a closer look at a camera video monitor.

First, we should identify the three main components of a video security system. That includes one to several video cameras, a video recorder, and at least one camera video monitor. Note that the word “digital” did not appear in the previous two sentences because we are referring to the older analog video security camera systems.

The older analog video camera systems consisted of analog video cameras which were basically miniature version of cameras used in an average television studio. However, since television cameras “broadcasted” their signal to the general public, security video cameras were often (and still maybe today) referred to as Closed Circuit Television or CCTV. The circuit is closed because the security system camera sends its signal to the video recorder and monitor, a closed circuit, rather than broadcasting it for unrestricted access.

The recorders used in these older analog systems were usually analog video tape recorders such as a VHS or BETA recorder and the monitors were basically miniature televisions. In contrast we use digital video security cameras, Digital Video Recorders or DVRs and high resolution camera video monitors with LCD, Plasma, or LED displays today.

The older “tube” type television camera video monitor and the analog video camera, worked with video in terms of “lines of resolution.” Without getting overly technical, the quality of these displays was much lower than today’s typical Plasma, LCD, or LED camera video monitor since the tube projected the image in alternating “lines.” Today the image is made up of pixels, extremely small dots or squares that can provide a much greater (or finer) resolution, and therefore a much higher quality display image.

Often times, older analog cameras would require an individual camera video monitor for each camera. Today however, depending on the size and resolution of the display, all of the cameras within a system can be displayed on one monitor. In fact, the digital video security systems used today do not require a camera video monitor to operate. A monitor is used to set the system up initially, but may be removed after the initial settings have been made. Yet, the monitor is still the component with the highest use since it is used to view live or recorded video in one way or another.

Of the three types of camera video monitors used today, the LCD is the most prevalent. Since video security systems have become digital, they have gained access to many of the technological improvements of personal computers. Therefore, monitors that are currently used for personal computing may also be used for digital video security systems with one provision; the monitor must have the capability to display using the output connectors for the system.

This is important because if you choose to place a monitor on a single or specific camera, chances are it will need a BNC input connector. While most DVRs have BNC connectors for the camera inputs, they usually have several different output types to the monitor (VGA, DVI, and HDMI for example). When you purchase a camera video monitor for your security system, just make sure the outputs of the cameras and/or DVR matches the input connections of the monitor.

Security Camera King offers a wide variety of camera video monitors available for purchase. What’s more is that we also have BNC to VGA Monitor Converters available which allows you to view your video security camera with a BNC connector on a VGA monitor. In addition we also have monitor mounts available. For more information, talk to one of our security experts.

There are several advantages to using battery powered surveillance cameras. There are just about as many types of battery powered surveillance cameras too. Thanks to recent discoveries and improvements in electronic circuitry, battery powered surveillance cameras are not only possible, but the run longer and can be ever smaller in size.

Before we talk about battery powered surveillance cameras and their power systems, let’s briefly describe how a digital video security camera works. The digital video security camera is one of three major components in a digital video security system, the other two being a Digital Video Recorder or DVR and a monitor.

A digital video camera works by converting light energy into electrical energy that can be measured. The camera uses to different instruments to do this, a lens configuration and an electronic sensor chip. The lens or lenses focus the reflective light of images in the field of view of the camera. They focus this field of view, with very accurate precision, onto a sensor chip that typically ranges from 1/4 to about 1 inch in size.

There are two different sensor chips in use today. Both accomplish the same objective, but each goes about doing it in a different way. Charged Coupled Devices or CCDs and Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductors or CMOSs, are sensitive to light. When the focused image strikes the CCD or CMOS, they excite electrons in the sensor material which produce a slight electrical impulse that can be measured. These impulses create digital video images.

Initially, these sensors were extremely expensive. However, in recent times their cost has dropped considerably and so has their size. Typical CCDs and CMOSs used in non-specialty digital video security cameras are 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 inches in size. Also, because of how they convert the light into electrical energy, CCDs have typically created a higher quality image than CMOSs but they do so at the cost of using more electricity. However, as time passes innovations in the sensor chip manufacturing and design have created lower power-consuming CCDs and higher quality CMOSs that already use less power.

Most non battery powered surveillance cameras get their power from a low voltage Direct Current (DC) power supply wire. This is usually run from a power distribution center (that powers all the other cameras in the system as well) or from a plug-in outlet transformer. The electrical power provides the circuitry for creating the digital video images as well as any additional functions of the camera (such as Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) for example.

These cameras require extra effort during installation, because not only does the camera require a coaxial cable run, but the power supply wire will need to be run also. This may entail drilling through walls, ceilings, studs, etc. Sometimes cameras may be needed in places where it is difficult to run any wires. This is when wireless battery powered surveillance cameras come in.

Battery powered surveillance cameras normally operate off of power from a rechargeable battery or even a one-time use battery. Rechargeable batteries may be nickel cadmium (NiCads), nickel metal halide (NiMH), or lithium ion (LiPO) types. NiCads are typically the cheapest of the three will LiPOs have a much greater working efficiency, lasting longer per charge and not exhibiting an annoying side effect of NiCads called battery memory which reduces lifetimes between charges.

In addition, there are extremely small disguised or hidden type battery powered surveillance cameras such as ink pens (see Security Camera Kings product # HC-PEN) and wristwatches (see our product # HC-WATCH) that operate off of very small on-board rechargeable batteries or watch type batteries.

Credit should also be given to the computer memory industry. Their innovations in cramming more and more memory in tinier electronic spaces and using less electricity to do so have made not only battery powered surveillance cameras possible, but entire battery powered surveillance systems as well. These systems (usually consist of a camera and DVR that can download its stored video to a computer for playback and editing) can be built into almost any object. Some examples that Security Camera King offers for sale in addition to the two already mentioned include a portable lighter (product # HC-LIGTR-DVR), a mini desk clock (product # HC-CLOCK-DVR), and sunglasses (product # HC-SUNGL-DVR). We even have a portable car key fob (product # HC-CARKY).

As technology continues to increase, battery powered surveillance cameras will more than likely be the wave of the future.